The beautifully tended formal gardens of the palace, arranged in the French style, are a symphony of colour in summer and a combination of greys and browns in winter; all seasons are appealing in their own right. The grounds, which were opened to the public by Joseph II in 1779, hide a number of attractions in the tree-lined avenues (arranged according to a grid and star-shaped system between 1750 and 1755). From 1772 to 1780 Ferdinand Hetzendorf added some of the final touches to the park under the instructions of Joseph II: fake Roman ruins in 1778; the Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain), a riotous ensemble from Greek mythology, in 1781; and the crowning glory, the Gloriette in 1775. The view from the Gloriette, looking back towards the palace with Vienna shimmering in the distance, ranks among the best in the city. It’s possible to venture onto its roof, but the view is only marginally superior.
The original Schöner Brunnen fountain , from which the palace gained its name, now pours through the stone pitcher of a nymph near the Roman ruins.
The garden’s 630m-long maze is a classic hedge design based on the original maze that occupied its place from 1720 to 1892; adjoining this is the labyrinth , a playground with games, climbing equipment and a giant mirror kaleidoscope.
To the east of the palace is the Kronprinzengarten , a replica of the baroque garden that occupied the space around 1750.
